A Sneak Peak....

 Happy belated Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had an amazing day with family and friends.

Also, happy post black Friday, small business Saturday and pre-cyber Monday. Whew! I'm thinking they should call it catch your breath and sleep all day Tuesday. Raise your hand if you are feeling me on this. Ha! Our Thanksgiving was super low key and I would love to tell you that I stayed true to my diet but alas I did not. I tried. I fought. I went to Zumba up till' they shut us down for the holidays and then she did it; my mom that is. She used oranges and fresh rosemary and olive oil and garlic and and and......OK breath......she rubbed him down and stuffed him and roasted him. Sigh....he was a good bird. *burp* Oh and I did make the best gluten free, dairy free pumpkin pie E-V-E-R!! Wait, I think my mom made that too. Crud! I almost said crap but that's not lady like.

Speaking of Black Friday, I made my poor mom get up at 4:45 yup' that's AM and we headed out to Victoria Gardens. We had so much fun. It was not crowded at the mall because you see everyone else was stampeding at Target and Wal-Mart. ;) We ate lunch at PF Chang's and didnt get home until 5pm. I told my mom you know you are getting old when you have to place gel inserts in your running shoes and bring little baggies of nuts in your purse just to survive shopping. Ha!

 Dan and the girls stayed in their PJ'S all day and played Monopoly. Now I'm not sure I ever got the entire story but rumor has it he made both girls cry at one point. LOL! I think he stole park place or something. 

So now we are in full "practice for The Nutcracker, fill out Christmas cards, wrap up gifts, decorate the house, prepare for the Married life ministry Christmas dinner and try to sane and remember why we celebrate the holiday mode."

Below are a couple of the family photos Jess took during our family shoot. She rocks. Call me, I'll give you her number. ;)

I'm tired. Must sleep. back to school, Zumba, orthodontist appointments, dance, etc. starting tomorrow. 

Stick around, more babbling makes no sense posts coming your way this holiday season.

Happy November

Happy November! I am LOVING the cool mornings and cool evenings. I have been sitting on the couch at night with a blanket and opening the window just to take a minute and enjoy the cool air. Every Halloween my mom, Dan and I put together a little party for the girls and their friends. We make chili, have goodies, music and some fun fellowship. The kids get all dressed up and it's just something they really look forward to. A safe place to celebrate and have fun. This year I made a goodie bag table and the kids got to fill their own bags. It had poppers, pencils, tattoos, bouncy balls and more!

We always do a special kids table that changes every year. Ryanne helped me and made the mummy juice boxes.

The big glass jar in the middle had popcorn and my mom filled little cups with nuts for the kids to munch on.

Mummy and vampires courtesy of Tina! They were dairy and gluten free....AMAZING!!

My mom made the smores bites. She's very patient every year when she comes to help and I lay out my "vision" for the night to her. Ha!

I LOVE cake stands etc. I currently have 21! This spider web one is a favorite of mine. My mom found it for me last year at home goods.

Of course I don't leave the adults out.....

Morgan was a peacock and Ryanne was a green fairy. Ryanne's wings were so big every time she turned around she knocked something over or poked someone in the eye. Ha!

But oh don't you just want to eat her up! She looked soooo cute. And Morgan and my mom worked really hard piecing her peacock together.

The girls put a pink tutu on Macy so when Dan asked all the kids to take a picture Macy ran right in the middle. She was so proud of her costume. Ha! Ha! Then there's me. If you know me or have been reading my blog for any length of time you know I dress up every year. I start thinking about my costume on Nov. 1st and plot and plan my execution all year. I don't tell the kids what I am going to be so it's a surprise. Now mind you no other adults in attendance dress up. Yes I know what you are thinking......"Have you no pride?" Well yes and no. Yes because I have the grace to at least be slightly embarrassed and no because I love that my kids look forward to my antics all year. So at the cost of loosing precious readers to my blog here it is..........

Yup, I went as Barbie. Well the make up Barbie bust we all had and loved as little girls. I am convinced I was NOT meant to be a blonde. Ha! It was tons of fun though. Please don't judge me. ;)